Daily Log 5 June 2011 - Triathlon clinic by Triathlonmalaysia.com

[/caption] MUSINGS AND THOUGHTS Triathlonmalaysia.com organised a 1 day triathlon clinic at Port Dickson today. Lina and I attended and though the day was full of drama for us, it is probably the day with the greatest and most learning experiences for me. One of my biggest issues is of course the open water swim which I wrote about yesterday's Daily. Arriving at the location I can see a lot of diffeent people attending the clinic. We had some veteran triathletes including Ironman finishers, lots and lots of kids and the newbies (like me). I even got the chance to meet up with a cyber friend, Wild Dog Allan Malcolm which was a great relief. At least there's someone I know and being a seasoned triathletes, he gave me quite a lot of tips as well as assurances. Many thanks Allan if you're reading this. TRANSITION TIPS This morning began quite harmlessly as Mr Chan Chee Seng and his son Kevin (both triathlon coaches) explained the finer details of the transition strategy. Transitions is the 4th skill in a triathlon and is something to be taken very seriously. Continuous practice is important as precious minutes can be lost if the transition is not done properly. I learnt about the sequence of the transition:

Race belt
Shirt (if you're planning a different top for the bike)
Sunglasses
Helmet
shoes

Some very useful tips and it'll help me when I begin to practice my transition strategy. Next came the highlight for me which is the swim.

Mr Chan explaining the finer points of a successful transition SWIM Though the early morning was filled with some thunder and lightning, the day gradually cleared and it became a fine day for swimming (though there was a part of me that wished the swim was called off). Mr Chan spent over an hour explaining the swimming leg of a triathlon and giving us more tips on how to make the swim leg a success. I had read about all this in the books and various websites that I frequent but there's nothing like having it explained to us by seasoned triathletes. The kids were then sent off on their swim and it was time for us adults. We were to going to start from the beach. Mr Chan explained to us that this year's sprint triathlon (which I am entering) will be starting from the pontoon at the marina. The start will like the Olympic Triathlon start where the competitors will dive into the water. After some demonstration by the better swimmers it was time for all us to start diving in and begin our swim. I was one of the last (actually the last) to dive in. Now I've never dived into anything before so I started to get worried and was just standing at the edge of the platform. I was contemplating life at that moment and was seriously considering giving this triathlon business up. Nevertheless, after some encouragement by Mr Chan I dove in. HARD. When I started swimming I began to notice that the dive had dislodged my goggles and water had slipped in. I was thinking to myself that I can handle this and was going to swim all the way until the sea water started to irritate my eyes and it became painful. I of course don't know what I'm supposed to do so I did. All this happened in the space of about 15 seconds and I began to panic. By this time I had lost my form and even the breastroke wouldn't work.

The one thing I remember was Mr Chan saying 'if you have any problems just raised your hands', so I did. Several times, many times until Kevin, the assistant coach came to the rescue. He gently guided me back to the starting platform and I was back on land. Very shaken up, a bit embarrassed but alive and in one piece. Lina was waiting there as she didn't start with the rest of us. Mr Chan and Kevin then asked us to join them on the other side of the platform where the swimmers will past. I had to contemplate whether I will make another attempt at this. I was actually going to quit until I saw Lina get in. Now she is also a novice swimmer, maybe more novice than me. I go to the pool at least 3 times a week as compared to her once every 2 weeks. Her strokes are still not smooth but she have it a shot. She got in and started to swim. She lasted 20 metres before she too had to be rescued. Her courage and absolute fearlessness really inspired me. When Mr Chan asked me whether I'm going to do it, I just looked at him and nodded and went straight back into the water and started swimming. I was calmer now and was trying to find a rhythm. I alternated between the freestyle and the breaststroke. Suddenly out of the corner of my eye, I saw Assistant Coach Kevn swimming beside me and that gave me a lot of confidence. My goggles were still giving me problems and I stopped and asked if I can hold onto him while I fix it. Of course he said sure. I don't actually know how he managed to keep both of us afloat (but I sure want to learn how someday). After the fix I continued my swim, again alternating between freestyle and breaststroke. Kevin was still beside me and he kept encouraging me to go on. The beach kept getting closer and closer which gave me more confidence.

I tell you, when my feet felt ground, I was so relieved and I felt such a sense of accomplishment. It's probably the best thing I ever did in a long time. I had help for sure. I don't think I could have done it without Kevin, so he has my eternal gratitude and I'll remember him swimming beside me forever. Sure I didn't cover 750m which is what is required in the sprint triathlon. But I did it. I've swum in the sea. Now that I've done it once, I can do it again. If I can do it again, I can keep on improving and if I keep on improving, maybe one day I'll be a good (or even a great) swimmer. When I reach the beach, Lina was waiting for me. I'll never forget her courage and fearlessness. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have gotten back in the water. After that we had to bike and run but after 10km of biking (on our folding bikes no less) we decided to call it a day. I am still not fully recovered from the flu and I was already coughing on the bike and I had a bad runny nose. So that's my saga for the day. Many, many thanks to Mr Chan and Kevin for being so generous with their time as well as providing food and nourishment (there were no charges for this clinic). Many thanks to all the supporters and helpers as well. This was a great day.